Approaching Idaho...The 17 riders on the Big Ride Across America for the American Lung Association are finally leaving Washington snd heading into just a one-day trip to cross the narrowest part of Idaho.

On Day 6 of the trip, the bikers have departed Spokane and now go 76 miles to Sandpoint, ID. The scenery promises to stay breathe taking.

Powers reports much of the landscape is similar to her home territory of New Hampshire. Surely, the mountains and passes were steeper.

The riders are passing through tiny hamlets and towns, stopping off for a cold beer and other break amenities. Dogs are chasing them along the way.

Mostly, they ride the back roads of the west, but sometimes they have to share the interstates with campers, RVs and 16-wheel trucks. Fortunately the shoulders on highways are extremely wide, and not so forboding.

After departing Idaho, they will spend five days pedaling and one day resting in the Big Sky country of Montana. Tuesday, they have a day of complete rest and will be honored at the Big Dipper Ice Cream store in Missoula, MT. There the mayor will greet them along with officials of the Montana Lung Association.

Powers will continue her highly informative, and well written blogs, when wifi is available. Along some of the back roads and high in the mountains, electronic communication simply does not exist.

Feel free to follow Larissa on her blog, and add a buck or two to her donation drive. She is doing the heavy lifting for the American Lung Association.